Brien Center CEO Leaving at Month's End
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will be looking for a new leader with the announcement that Chief Executive Officer Catherine A. Doherty is leaving on Jan. 27.According to a statement from the Brien Center board of directors, Doherty is leaving after three years to pursue other interests.
Doherty, who holds a master's in educuation, has been with the Brien Center since January 2009 and is widely credited for spearheading its recent expansion.
Under her leadership, the agency purchased, renovated and adapted the former Mout Carmel Parish complex to create the "Brien Center Campus," the anchor site for 5 of the Brien Center's 39 different sites. She also has been responsible for the implementation of the Community Based Flexible Supports and Children's Behavioral Health Initiative programs which have changed the service delivery system of care for children and adults with mental illness. Doherty also inked a deal in North Adams to expand the center's services in the North Berkshires by moving into the former North Adams Transcript building.
M. Christine Macbeth, a licensed social worker, has been named interim CEO. Macbeth has been assistant executive officer since 2010 and, in that role, initiated, developed and evaluated administrative, fiscal and programmatic operations of the agency. She has a long record of leadership for both nonprofit and for-profit social service and health-care agencies, most recently as regional director of provider relations for BMC HealthNet, a managed-care organization providing health coverage to low- and moderate-income residents. Prior to that, she was executive director of Valleyhead Inc., a private residential school for girls with significant emotional and learning needs. There Macbeth developed and executed significant program changes; implemented a continuum of care system and improved and increased utilization.
"The entire board was most appreciative of Mrs. Doherty's dedication and tireless work for the Brien Center on behalf of those with mental illness and addiction issues," said board President Thomas Stokes. "Going forward, the board has full confidence in Ms. Macbeth's leadership and managerial abilities and dedication to the Brien Center's mission and programs that serve many Berkshire County residents, with a remarkable, motivated staff of 500 committed individuals."
The Brien Center provides mental health and substance abuse services for children, adolescents and adults. The largest community mental health and substance abuse center in Berkshire County, it serves more than
10,000 residents each year, 4,000 of whom are children and adolescents.
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